What this means
Federal jobs are grouped into occupational series with titles like "Program Analyst" or "Information Technology Specialist." Searching with these words finds more relevant jobs.
Why it matters
Job titles in government can differ from those in other countries or private companies. Good search terms help you find work that matches your experience.
What to prepare
- A list of jobs you have done and the tasks you did most.
- Locations you are willing to work in, and whether you need telework or remote options.
Steps to take
Step 1 of 3: Write 5–10 keywords that describe your skills (for example: accounting, logistics, nursing, data analysis).
Step 2 of 3: Search USAJOBS with each keyword and note the job titles that keep appearing.
Step 3 of 3: Add those job titles to your keyword list.
Common mistakes
- Only searching for the exact job title you had before.
- Ignoring jobs at lower grades that could be a good starting point.
Official source
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